DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free. 
Price ISc each. Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given 



DRAMAS, COMEDIES, 
ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. 

M. F. 

Aaron Boggs. Freshman, 3 

acts, 2y2 hrs (25c) 8 8 

After the Game, 2 acts, \\\ 

hrs (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, o acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 4 4 

American Hustler, 4 acts, lYz 

hrs , (25c) 7 4 

Arabian Nights, 3 acts. 2 hrs. 4 5 
As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 

2H hrs (25c) 9 7 

At the End of the Rainbow, 3 

acts, 2\i hrs (25c) 6 14 

Bank Cashier, 4 acts. 2 hrs. 

(25c) 8 4 

Black Heifei-, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 9 3 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2^4 

hrs. (25c) 7 3 

Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Burns Rebellion, 1 hr (25c) 8 5 

Busy Liar, 3 acts. 2\\ hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

College Town, 3 acts, 2^4 

hrs (25c) 9 8 

Corner Drug Store, 1 hr. 

(25c) 17 14 

Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs.. 7 4 
Daughter of the Desert. 4 

acts, 2^ hrs. (25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, ^IVj 

hrs v2Sc) 8 4 

Dream That Cair.^^ True, 3 

acts, 2}4 hrs (25c) 6 13 

Editor-in-ChieT. 1 hr (25c) 10 

Enchanted Wood, \■•■■^, h. (35c).Optnl. 
Everyyouth, 3 acts, 1 V2 hrs. 

(25c) 7 6 

Face at the Window. 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

Fascinators, 40 miu (25c) 13 

Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

11/2 hrs (25c) 9 14 

Heiress of Hoetown, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 8 4 

High School Fresliman, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 12 

Honor of a Cowbov, 4 acts, 2^4 

hrs ' (25c) 13 4 

Indian Davs, 1 hr (50c) 5 2 

In Plum Vallcv. 4 acts, 2 '4 

hrs " (25c) 6 4 

Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs.. (25c) 5 4 
Jayville Junction. 1'^ hrs. (25c) 14 17 
Kingdom of Heart's C<intent, 3 

acts, 214 hrs (25c) 6 12 

Lexington, 4 acts, 2\\ h. .(25c) 9 4 



Light Brigade, 40 min (25c) 10 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2Y^ hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Lodge of Kye Tyes, 1 hr.(25c)13 
Loiielyville Social Club, 3 acts, 

\V2 hrs (25c) 10 

Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 5 2 

Man from Nevada, 4 acts, 2^/4 

hrs (25c) 9 5 

Mirandy's ISlinstrels. . . . (25c) Optnl. 
New Woman, 3 acts, 1 hr.... 3 6 
Old Maid's Club, \Vi hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25''V 8 6 

Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

1,'4 hrs (25c) 12 9 

On the Little P.ig Horn, 4 acts, 

21A hrs. (25c) 10 1 

Out in the Streets, 3 acts, 1 Iir. 6 4 
Prairie Rose, 4 acts, 2^4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Rustic Romeo, 2 acts, 2^4 

hrs (25c) 10 12 

School Ma'am, 4 acts, l-)4 hrs. 6 S 
Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs. . 6 6 
Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2^4 h. 8 3 
Southern Cinderella, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 

Third Degree, 40 min (25c) 12 

Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Tony, The Convict, 5 acts, 2^ 

hrs (?5c) 7 4 

Topp's Twins, 4 acts, 2 h.(25c) 6 4 
Town Marshal, 4 acts, 2i/4 

hrs (25c) 6 3 

Trip to Storyland, VA hrs.(25c) 17 23 
Uncle Tosh, 4 acts, 2^ hrs. (25c) 8 3 
Lender Blue Skies, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 10 

Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 
When the Circus Came to 

Town. 3 acts. 2^ hrs. (25c) 5 3 
\yomen Who Did, 1 hr...(25c) 17 
Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 

FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. 

April Fools, 30 min 3 

Assessor, The, 10 min 3 2 

Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 

Bad Job, 30 min 3 2 

Betsv Baker, 45 min 2 2 

Billy's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min 2 3 

Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. S 

Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 5 

Box and Cox, 35 min 2 1 

Case .Against Casey, 40 min... 23 

Convention of Papas, 25 min,. 7 

Country Justice, 15 min 8 

Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 2 



T.S.DENISON & COMPANY,Publishers.154W.RandoiphSt., Chicago 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS 



A COMEDY 



BY 

EVELYN SIMMS 

AUTHOR OF 

'Maidens All Forlorn," "A Packet for Popsey," "The Conspirators, 
"Hidden Harmonies," Etc. 




CHICAGO 

T. S, DENISON & COMPANY 

Publishers 



Divided Attentions 



CHARACTERS. 

Mrs. Jenkins The Mother 

Esmeralda Clarabelle Jenkins. . . .The Elder Daughter 
Dorothea Hortense Jenkins. ... T/z^ Younger Daughter 

Constance Compton Joseph's Sister 

Joseph Compton The Attentive One 



'lace — The Parlor of a Summer Hotel Anyzvhere in the 
United States. 



Time — The Present. 



Time of VhAYiiiG—About Thirty-five Minutes. 



COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY EBEN H. NORRIS, 

JHP96-006783 

nrT II 1915 

OCI.D 411)3:3 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 



COSTUMES AND CHARACTERS. 

Mrs. Jenkins — A stout, middle-aged, motherly woman. 
When she first enters she wears a bonnet and a handsome 
wrap ; also gloves. Later she wears an extremely elabo- 
rate trained gown, out of place for afternoon wear. 

Esmeralda. — A young girl about nineteen years of age. 
She tries to assume dignity of manner and is quite dicta- 
torial in dealing with her younger sister. Wears a simple 
afternoon dress which she later changes for a very hand- 
some gown. 

Dorothea — A girl of about sixteen years of age, bright 
and rather impulsive. At opening of scene she also wears 
a simple afternoon gown, which later she changes for a 
very elaborate silk dress. 

Miss Compton — A simple, unaffected young woman. 
Wears a plain tailored suit and carries a small travehng 
bag and parasol. 

Mr. Compton. — An up-to-date young man. Wears plain 
street attire. 



PROPERTIES. 

Work bag, fancy work, cardboad bound manuscript tied 
with blue ribbons for Esmeralda. Work bag, fancy work, 
letter and a manuscript, the same as Esmeralda's for Doro- 
thea. Fancy work for Mrs. Jenkins. Small traveling bag 
and parasol for Miss Compton. Writing materials for Mr. 
Compton. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R. means right of the stage ; C, center ; R. C, right cen- 
ter; L., left; R.D., right door; L.D., left door, etc. The 
actor is supposed to be facing the audience. 



Divided Attentions 



Scene: The parlor of a sununer hotel. A door on the 
right leads into the hall and a French ztmidozv (or a door) 
leads into the garden on the left. Between the door R. and 
the audience is a sofa, drawn slightly azvay from the wall 
so that anyone sitting there is in full z'iew of the audience. 
There is a table in the middle of the room zvith a plant in 
the center and hooks arranged around it. A small writing 
desk is at the hack. Other furniture suitable to a hotel 
parlor. 

Esmeralda is sitting on the sofa and Dorothea at the 
tahle as the curtain rises. Both are doing fancy work. 

Esmeralda. And so, Dorothea, I said, "My! Mr. Comp- 
ton, you don't mean it !" And he said, quite tender and 
deferential, so to speak, "My dear Miss Esmeralda, do I 
ever say things I don't mean?" So then, of course, I gave 
him one of my roses, since he wanted it so. 

Dorothea. Goodness, Esmeralda, how you do talk ! I 
suppose you think Mr. Compton never looked at an3'body 
but you ! Huh ! You ought to have seen the way he looked 
at me last night. 

Esmeralda. A little chit like you ! 

Dorothea. Well, he did then ! And what's more he put 
his name down for three dances on my program. 

Esmeralda. Yes, because / wouldn't give him any 
more, and of course he wanted to fill his program. Any- 
way {triumphantly), he took me in to supper. 

Dorothea. Took you into supper ! I guess he did ! He's 
so kind-hearted he couldn't bear to see you left without 
a partner, so he generously sacrificed his own pleasure, 
seeing that I was going in with Sam Larks, and offered to 
take you. My! Didn't you tuck into those meringues? 

Esmeralda. I suppose you think that's funny, Doro- 
thea Hortense Jenkins! Well, I don't. Some people have 

4 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 5 

a mighty high opinion of what they call their wit. You 
may think you're smart, but that's more than anyone else 
does. 

Dorothea. I reckon you've spent the night in the knife- 
box ! 

Esmeralda. I suppose you think that's a mighty cutting 
remark. But just let me tell you that it doesn't make any 
impression on me! 

Dorothea. Hoighty-toighty ! Miss Esmeralda Clara- 
belle Jenkins! You know you're just mad because you 
can't get the better of me. (She rises and flings her work 
on to the table beside her work bag.) Heavens! What a 
temper you're in! I'd be ashamed, Esmeralda, if I were 
you, to show my spite so openly. 

Esmeralda (continuing to sew). Huh! Jealousy! 

Dorothea. Jealousy nothing! Fve got no cause to be 
jealous of you! Why, anyone could see that I'm the peach 
for him. '{Walks to the French zmndozv and looks out, 
with head very erect.) 

Esmeralda. You may be a peach, but allow me to tell 
you that you're a mighty sour one. 

Dorothea {turns and makes a face, then she looks once 
more into the garden. With a change of tone.) Hello, 
here's Ma. Wonder where she's been? Hello, Ma! {She 
zvaves from the zvindow.) 

Esmeralda. I wish you'd get out of the habit of call- 
ing Ma ''Ma." It was all very well when we lived at the 
store, but now we've risen you might try and adapt your 
language to your position. 

Dorothea. Gracious ! Do you sleep with the dictionary 
under your pillow? Maybe that accounts for your hard- 
headedness. 

Esmeralda. H'm! Think that's smart? 

Mrs. Jenkins enters from the garden, zvearing a bonnet 
and a handsome zvrap. She is middle-aged and stout, with 
a motherly and complacent expression. She drops heavily 
into the nearest chair, flinging back her wrap and begin- 
ning to untie her bonnet strings. 



6 DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 

Mrs. J. Well, girls, you slept late after the ball. Vve 
been up to town and back in spite of my late hours. And 
who do you s'pose walked with me part of the way? 

Dorothea. Not Mr. Compton? 

Esmeralda. Oh, was it? 

Mrs. J. {zvho has been taking off her gloves, hlozvs care- 
fully into each and puts them on the table). Yes, my dears. 
Mr. Joseph Compton ! 

Esmeralda. Oh, Ma! 

Dorothea. Who's saying *'Ma" now, I'd like to know. 
{To Mrs. J.). Oh, Mamma, what did he say? 

Mrs. J. He spoke of the perfectly lovely time he'd had 
last night with you — 

Esmeralda. With me? Oh, the dear! 

Dorothea. No, with me, wasn't it? 

Mrs. J. Now, honey, don't be hasty. He mentioned 
each of you with equal ardor. He said it was rare indeed 
to find such spontaneous friendship shown a man on such 
a short acquaintance, and he spoke most feeling-like of the 
politeness your Pa has shown him. 

Esmeralda (szveetly). Father, you mean, dear. And 
you should say feeling/y, not feeling-like. 

Mrs. J. (looking at Esmeralda with pride). Well, I 
guess you ought to know, for. there's been a mint o' money 
spent on both of you, so's you might grace any rank to 
which fortune, in the shape of man, might call you. Why, 
I doubt if Mr. Compton himself is more cultured or well 
informed. 

Esmeralda. I guess he's one of the Four Hundred ! 

Mrs. J. (mith conviction). I should think it's more than 
probable. And he must be mighty rich, because he told 
your Pa — I mean Father — that he's going to buy a little 
place at Tankerville so's to be near his' business and yet 
not have to reside in the city. Those wxre his very words. 
"And for the present my sister'll keep house for me," he 
said. (Looks knozvingly.) Until, of course — ! By the way, 
girls, he was going to meet his sister at the depot. She ar- 
rives today. 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 7 

Esmeralda. JVhaf a good thing we all came to this 
hotel. 

Dorothea. But I'm sorry his sister's coming. She's 
bound to be in the way. 

Mrs. J. Why, no, honey, she won't. / think it's a real 
good thing. We'll just be as lovely as can be to her, and 
then she will tell her brother how charming you are. You 
don't know what it may lead to. 

Dorothea. Things seem to be leading somewhere al- 
ready, judging from last night. 

Esmeralda. He talked to me the most. Didn't he, 
Mamma ? 

Mrs. J. He seemed considerably took with your con- 
versation, I must say. Really, Esmeralda, your Pa and I 
would be mighty pleased to see you so well provided for. 
'Twould be such a lift-up for us in every way, for although 
your Pa has retired and changed his residence, too, we 
ain't what you might call on the crest of the wave yet. 

Esmeralda. And you think the Comptons are? 

Mrs. J. I'm positive, honey. Why, the elegant way he 
expresses himself is quite sufficient to prove it. And I 
wish you could 'a seen the lovely top hat he had on and the 
buttonhole — a beautiful yellow rose. Why, Esmeralda, 
whatever is the matter? 

Esmeralda (looking self-conscious and rather coy). I — 
I gave him a yellow rose last night. Do you s'pose it was 
the same? 

Dorothea. Great Scott, no ! There's more than one yel- 
low rose in the world. Do you s'pose he'd keep your faded 
old flower when he only asked you for it 'cause he knew 
you'd be mad if he didn't? 

Esmeralda. He didn't ask you for one, anyway. 

Dorothea. He wouldn't have got one if he had. 

Esmeralda. Miss Sour Grapes ! 

Dorothea. It strikes me — 

Mrs. J. Girls ! Girls ! What would Mr. Compton say if 
he could hear you? You surely ain't jealous of each other, 
are you? He couldn't possibly fall in love with you both. 
I'm sure I don't know which he's after, but I guess your 



8 DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 

chances are about equal. Of course, that yellow rose seems 
to incline your way, Esmie, and you being the eldest, too — 

Dorothea. It ain't likely that an intelligent, good-look- 
ing young man like Mr. Joseph Compton would prefer age 
to beauty. 

Esmeralda. Seeing that I have both combined, the 
choice is easy — 

Mrs. J. (interrupting zvith a gratified air). My, Esmer- 
alda, he must 'a^ made considerable advances to you last 
night. I tell you what, my dear, if he does seem to favor 
you, you set your cap at him hard, for when once you are 
Mrs. Joseph Compton it will be easy to find a good match 
for Dorothea. (Rises and looks critically from one girl to 
the other.) Mr. Compton's sister will be here pretty soon. 
I should change, I think — put on something smart. It always 
pays. Dorothea, love, bring up my mantle for me. (Exit 
Mrs. J., R., follozved by Dorothea, zvho turns and makes a 
farezvell grimace at Esmeralda as she goes out. As soon as 
she is alone Esmeralda flies to the sofa zvhere her zvork 
bag is lying, opens it and takes out zvith great care a manu- 
script bound in covered cardboard and tied with blue rib- 
bons.) 

Esmeralda (holding it rapturously). At last! (She 
opens it car ef idly and reads aloud from the fly leaf.) 'To 
Miss Esmeralda Jenkins, with the compliments of Joseph 
Compton." (She turns a page and reads.) 'The Unpub- 
lished Poems of Mr. Joseph Compton." (3h, how lovely! 
The yellow rose is nothing to this! (She rises, turning the 
pages slozvly, then begins to read aloud in a dramatic man- 
ner. ) 

"lines to an evening star." 

"G, Star, who in the heavens beamest, 
O thou who gently, sweetly gleamest 
Shed thy fair rays on one who dreamest 

Of thee afar. 
Thy hov'ring spark of light thou sendest 
On one who to thy sweet will bendest. 
Whose heart in twain thy beauty rendest, 

Sweet Evening vStar !" 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 9 

Esmeralda. How simply heavenly! (Turns pages 
eagerly.) Why — why! "The Rose." (Reads aloud zvith 
self -conscious excitement. ) 

"I begged for a flower ; she gave me a rose ; 
Oh, would I could keep it forever. 
But flowers all wither, as everyone knows. 
Though the love that goes with them fades never. 
She gave me a rose and I gave her my heart, 
An exchange that's of true love the acme ; 
For whatever misfortunes may fall to my part, 
I'll now have her true love to back me!" 

Esmeralda. And perhaps he wrote it before he sent 
the book this morning. (She clasps the hook to her heart, 
then puts it hack into her zvork bag and laughs.) Oh, Doro- 
thea, if you only knew! (Goes to door R., pausing zvith 
her hand on the knob.) Esmeralda Clarabelle Compton! 
Esmeralda — Clarabelle — Compton!! A-a-ah! (Exit.) 

Almost at the same instant Dorothea, in an elaborate 
silk dress, enters from the garden. SJie flies to her work 
basket on the table and carefidly extracts from it a manu- 
script exactly like Esmeralda's. Then she sits down and 
turns the first page, reading eagerly. 

Dorothea, "To Miss Dorothea Jenkins, with the com- 
pliments of Joseph Compton." (Turns next page and 
reads with admiration in her voice.) "The Unpublished 
Poems of Mr. Joseph Compton." Oh! the darling! (Hugs 
the manuscript, looks through it and begins to read aloud.) 

"on feeding a sparrow with crumbs." 
"Come, oh. Birdie, Birdie, come ; 
Hop about from crumb to crumb. 
Choose and eat them at thy will ; 
Here they lie upon the sill. 
And be not afraid, for I 
Will not let the cat come by 
Till once more you gain the trees. 
Nodding gently in the breeze." 

Dorothea. If that isn't too cute for anvthino:! (Turns 



10 . DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 

to index and reads titles.) "Ode to the Midnight Moon," 
"Lines to an Evening Star," "The Song of the Smothered 
Sigh," "Lines Inspired by a Grass Blade," "On Seeing the 
Lamps Lit Down the Road," "When First I Loved — " 
'When First I Loved — " Oh! {Turns pages hurriedly.) 

"When first I loved I scarce knew what it meant ; 
Gentl}^ I laid my hand upon her arm, 
And in the moonlight nearer her I leant, 
Bewitched and spell-bound by her wondrous charm." 
Dorothea. Oooo! (Hugs herself with delight, then 
continues.) 

"We spoke of many things ; I pressed her hand, — 
And how I wished that it had not been gloved ; 
Yet still methinks that she did understand 
All that I meant that night when first I loved." 
(She drops the book onto the table, clasping her hands 
rapturously.) It's just, what happened. He must mean me! 
And perhaps he wrote it before he sent me the book this 
morning! Oh, Esmeralda, if you only knew! (Rises, re- 
places book in zvork basket and goes L., then turns, with 
rapt expression.) Dorothea — Hortense — Compton! A-a- 
ah! Dorothea — Hortense — (turns angrily as door R. opens 
and — 

Mrs. J. and Esmeralda enter. Both are 'wearing dresses 
much too handsome for the occasion. 

Esmeralda. How will I do. Mamma? (Turns slowly 
around.) 

Mrs. J. (sitting down). You look perfectly elegant. If 
only Mr. Compton could see you right now. (Esmeralda 
giggles.) 

Dorothea (pushing forzvard). How will /do? 

Mrs. J. You couldn't look better, love. I do wonder 
which of you girls it will be. (Each looks triumphant 
without noticing the other. ) Now sit down and I'll give 
you a bit of advice. You be just as sweet and lovely as 
you can to Miss Compton. Tell her how nice she looks 
and what a good dancer her brother is. Make her feel 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 11 

like one of the family. It'll all help. And let her know 
you've been to Europe, girls. The first impression must 
he a good one. And for goodness sake don't mention our 
ever having lived at the store. It just might make all the 
difference to her brother. You understand? 

Girls (together). Yes, Ma. 

Esmeralda. I wish she'd come. (Goes to imndow L.) 

Mrs. J. Eor the land's sake, Esmeralda, be careful how 
you move around in that dress. I don't want to have you 
looking like a rag-bag when Mr. Compton's sister comes. 

Esmeralda (excitedly). They're just driving up. (Mrs. 
J. and Dorothea rush to the windoiv.) They've passed 
the corner. You can't see them now. (With elation.) 
You just ought to have seen him bow and smile. (Doro- 
thea tosses her head.) 

Mrs. J. That was real exciting. But I never once 
thought of my dress. Dear, dear, I hope I haven't creased 
it. (Sits doivn and begins to examine her skirt zvith appre- 
hension.) 

Esmeralda. I'm going to bring her in. She'll feel more 
at home. (Exit R.) 

Dorothea. Cat! {To Mrs.. J.) For goodness sake. 
Mamma, put it down ! 

Mrs. J. arranges her train zvith studied carelessness and 
puts on her best society expression. The door R. opens 
and Miss Compton enters, follozved by Esmeralda. She 
carries a small traveling bag and a parasol. Esmeralda 
speaks as they enter. 

Esmeralda. You can't think how perfectly delighted 
we are to see you. 

Dorothea (taking Miss C.'s hand). We've been simply 
longing to know you. 

Mrs. J. (rising). It's the greatest treat we've had for 
ages; ain't it, girls? 

Miss C.(shy but gratified). I'm sure you're not more 
pleased than I am. As we were driving up just now Joe 
said to me, "You're going to call on the Jenkinses right 
away. Lucky girl." 



12 DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 

Dorothea. But where is he? 

Miss C. Why, there was some mistake about the room 
Joe engaged for me and he's going to see about it before 
they talve my baggage up. He's coming as soon as he can. 
He wants to see you all again z'eiy much. (The two sis- 
ters smile to themselves.) 

Esmeralda. Why, nobody's asked you to take a seat. 
Do sit down? 

Dorothea. Yes, do sit down. (Miss C. sits on sofa 
and Esmeralda at once sits beside Jier, much to Doro- 
thea's annoyance. There is a slight pause. The two sis- 
ters, looking from each other to their mother and back 
again, begin to giggle. Both siiddep^ly make an effort to say 
something.) 

Esmeralda. Ain't — 

Dorothea. Isn't — 
- {Each waits for the other to continue and then giggles 
again. ) 

Miss C. I beg your pardon? 

Esmeralda. I — I was only going to ask if this isn't a 
fine day. 

Dorothea. I should think you could see that without 
asking. 

Mrs. J. (reprovingly). Dorothea! (There is another 
azvkzvard pause.) How long are you going to stay here. 
Miss Compton? 

Miss C. A few weeks, I reckon — until Joe has fixed on 
a house in Tankerville. How fortunate that Joe came to 
the same hotel as you all. 

Esmeralda. That's just what we were saying. 

Mrs. J. What a clever young man your brother looks. 

Miss C. How sweet of you to say so. (With pride.) 
My brother writes. 

Dorothea. How perfectly lovely ! A\niat does he write ? 

Miss C. Poems. 

Esmeralda. Fancy knowing a real live poet ! Why I 
knew he must be somebody great the very first time I saw 
hmi. {Begins to quote, as if absent-mindedly.) "O star, 
who in the heavens beamest." (Dorothea looks startled.) 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 13 

Miss C. Then you have seen his poems? 

Esmeralda. A few — by accident, so to speak. (Doro- 
thea looks suspiciously toward her zvork basket.) 

Dorothea. You must be mighty proud to own such a 
clever brother. I think he's just the finest fellow I ever 
met, and so kind-hearted. (Quotes tenderly.) ''Come, 
oh, birdie, birdie, come." (Esmeralda looks amazed and 
suspicions.) 

Miss C. Do you also know my brother's poems? 

Dorothea. I — er — yes — a few. (Esmeralda looks 
grim.) 

Esmeralda (to the visitor). There's so much feeling in 
his poetry. 

Dorothea. Such tenderness. 

Esmeralda. He shows such a love of nature, roses 
especially. 

Dorothea. His verses are so toitcJiing — such subtle 
meanings — which only the truly sympathetic can under- 
stand. 

Miss C. It's lovely to hear you speak so. He has to 
have a mighty high opinion of a person to send anyone his 
own verses. He must think a heap of you, Miss Jenkins. 

Esmeralda (in a flutter). Oh, do you think so? Oh, 
pray don't call me Miss Jenkins. If we are to get to know 
each other real well, you must at once commence calling 
me Esmeralda. 

Dorothea. And call me Dorothea. 

Miss C. Oh, you sweet girls ! I should just love to. 
Then / must be Constance to you both. 

Esmeralda. What a beautiful name — Constance. 

Dorothea. It suits you to perfection, Constance. 

Esmeralda. And now we're on personal subjects, may 
I tell you how perfectly elegant you look, dear? 

Dorothea. I've never seen a lovelier costume — not 
even that summer we went to Europe. (Glances at her 
mother, zvho nods approvingly.) 

Esmeralda (looking crushingly at her sister and then 
turning to Miss C). Let's go round the garden, dearest, 



. 14 DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 

while they decide about your room. {They rise and go L. 
Dorothea also rises.) 

Dorothea. I'm coming, too. Goodbye, Mamma. 

Mrs. J. Bye-by, honey. Don't be too long. (The three 
girls go out L. Mrs. J. sits doing some light fancy work, 
smiling. The door R. opens sloii^Iy.) 

Mr. Compton. May I come in? (His head appears 
round the door.) 

Mrs. J. (delighted). Oh, do. 

Enter Mr. Compton, R. 

Mr. C. I thought my sister was here — and your daugh- 
ters. 

Mrs. J. They've gone into the garden. What a sweet 
girl your sister is. My girls have quite lost their hearts to 
her already. 

Mr. C. (sitting near her). I shall be jealous. 

Mrs. J. (play f idly) . You've no cause to be jealous. 

Mr. C. It's mighty kind of you. (Clears his throat 
nervously.) Mrs. Jenkins, you — er-^ — encourage me to take 
advantage of finding you alone to — er — ask you — some- 
thing. 

Mrs. J. Whatever I can do, dear Mr. Compton, shall be 
done. 

Mr. C. There's a matter of great importance to myself 
I'd like to speak of, and I trust that you may be able to 
intercede on my behalf. 

Mrs. J. I'd be only too glad to intercede for you with 
anyone. And under the circumstances — 

Enter Esmeralda, L. Mr. C. rises. 

Esmeralda. I thought I heard Mr. Compton's voice. Is 
your sister's room all fixed now? 

Mr. C. Quite. I expected to find Constance here and 
take her up. 

Esmeralda. She's with Dorothea in the garden. 
(Szveetly.) There's no hurry, is there? 

Mr. C. Why, no. I'll just wait till she comes. 

Mrs. J. (rising with meaning look at Esmeralda). And 
I'll go and look for your pa — your father, dear. (Exit R.) 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 15 

Esmeralda (clasping her hands). Mr. Compton, I think 
your poems are just too lovely for anything. Although 
they only came this morning, I've read them all. I've even 
learnt one by heart already. 

Mr. C. How sweet of you ! You make far too much of 
them. May I ask zvhich you have learnt? 

Esmeralda (looking dozvn). "The Rose" — 

Mr. C. Ah ! I hoped you would read that. 

Esmeralda. Oh, Mr. Compton (Archly.) Did you 
really write that after last night? 

Mr. C. (playfully). You mustn't ask me when I wrote 
it. Dear Miss Esmeralda, I am so glad to have this oppor- 
tunity of speaking to you. I have been wondering if you 
could spare me a few minutes to myself. I started speak- 
ing to your mother, but perhaps after all I'd do better to 
say it to you. It's about a very important matter — 

Esmeralda. Yes, Mr. Compton. (Eagerly.) 

Mr. C. Won't you sit down? (Esmeralda looks about, 
then- crosses to sofa and sits down, looking at him invit- 
ingly. He sits beside her, looks at her in silence for a mo- 
ment, then pushes back his hair and smiles. Esmeralda 
casts down her eyes.) It's been such a pleasure getting to 
know you all. And I — I suppose you are all agreeable to 
my friendship? 

Esmeralda. I — I almost feel as if Constance was a 
second sister. She's so sweet. 

Mr. C. That's real kind of you. (Pauses.) Dear Miss 
Esmeralda, this is what I wish to ask you. Would you — 
could you — do you think — 

Enter Dorothea and Miss C. 

Miss C. Oh, there you are, Joe ! 

Dorothea. We thought you were here as Esmeralda 
didn't come out again. (Esmeralda looks zvrathful.) 

Mr. C. We were just chatting till you came. (To Es- 
meralda.) Well, we'll have to finish another time. 
(Smiles.) 

Miss C. I suppose you've got my room fixed up now? 
(To Esmeralda.) Will you come up with me and see it? 



16 DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 

Esmeralda. I'd love to. (She frozvns at Dorothea as 
she goes to the door. Exit R. zvith Miss C.) 

Dorothea. What a szveet girl your sister is. We al- 
ready call her Constance, and she seems like an old friend. 

Mr. C. She's a lucky girl. (They sit dozvn.) 

Dorothea. And now that we are alone I want to thank 
you for your beaut iftd poems. Fm being very selfish about 
them for I haven't shown them to anyone yet. But I just 
wanted to enjoy them to the full first. They simply beat 
everything I've ever read. 

Mr. C. You are far too kind. 

Dorothea. It's you. who are too kind. 

Mr. C. Then I'm going to ask you to be kind now. 
(She looks up zvith anticipation.) Dear Miss Dorothea, 
I want to ask you if you will do something for me. 

Dorothea (zvith intense feeling). Of course I will. 

Mr. C. It is really from your honorable and esteemed 
father that I must ultimately ask the favor, but — er — I 
don't think he would object to my speaking to you first. 
Do you, dear Miss Dorothea? 

Dorothea (looking dozvn). Fm sure he wouldn't. 

Mr. C. You — you — are quite sure? 

Dorothea. Quite sure. (Smiles at him.) 

Mr. C. You must know that ever since I have been 
down at Tankerville I have — 

Enter Miss C, R. 

Miss C. Why, I hope I haven't interrupted you. (To 
Dorothea.) Esmeralda asked me to bring you up, too. 
We're planning to drive this evening and she wants your 
advice about going to the Falls. 

Dorothea. My advice! Huh! (Looks annoyed.) 

Miss C. Do come. She says you have been there 
oftener than she has and know better how to get th.ere and 
where to go. 

Mr. C. We can continue our little conversation at the 
Falls, maybe. It's a real pretty place. (Smiles.) 

Dorothea. All right, I'll come. (Exit zvith Miss C, 
looking very cross. Mr. C. zvalks around the room, hesi- 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 17 

tates, then sits at zvriting table and writes a note. Exit zvitJi 
note L.) 

Enter Esmeralda an instant later, R. She comes in 
eagerly and quickly, then looks around in great disappoint- 
ment and stamps her foot. Then she crosses to French 
zvindozv L., looks out, calls "Mr. Compton'' tzvo or three 
times; crosses to door R., zvhich she opens, glancing into 
the hall. Then she shuts door, returns to zvindozv and looks 
out, and finally stands in middle of room looking extremely 
angry. 

Enter Dorothea, R. 

Dorothea. Oh, yes, you thought you could hurry back- 
to Mr. Compton once you'd got me started talking about 
that drive. A nice thing — sending for me like that because 
you were just jealous of my being alone with him. Well, 
he's gone now. So you had your trouble for nothing. 

Esmeralda. Why didn't you stay with Constance? 

Dorothea. Because you're not the only one that can 
interrupt conversations. (Comes nearer.) I've a good 
mind to tell you a secret. Then you'll know your mistake. 

Esmeralda (startled). Well, what? 

Dorothea. Of course, since you interrupted us like 
that, he hadn't time to finish. So it wasn't like an exact 
proposal. 

Esmeralda. Proposal ! I should think not, Dorothea 
Jenkins. It's certainly time / told you. I've got a secret, 
too. Miss — a secret that is a secret, let me tell you. 

Dorothea. Esmeralda Clarabelle Jenkins, don't you go 
and put your foot in it before you know what you're talking 
about. He said he was going to speak to Pa. What does 
that mean? Huh? 

Esmeralda. That he wanted you to be a sister to him, 
of course. 

Dorothea. That question is soon settled. There's Pa 
in the garden now. I'm going to ask him. (Exit L. Es- 
meralda zvatches her, half angry, half amused. Dorothea 
returns almost immediately zvith a letter.) He's written to 
Pa — written already. And Pa — I mean Father — said we 



18 DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. 

could read it. Nozv I hope you're satisfied. {Takes letter 
from envelope.) 

Esmeralda. I'm the eldest. 

Dorothea. Yes, but I've got it. {Begins to read. Her 
delighted look changes to one of agitation and dismay, at 
which Esmeralda, watching her, laughs triumphantly.) 

Esmeralda. Aha! You thought it was you! (Doro- 
thea looks at her in dismay and thrusts the letter in Es- 
meralda's hands.) 

Dorothea. Here, read it. (Esmeralda reads and then 
her expression also changes. She drops the letter.) 

Esmeralda. Of all ugly, deceitful things — 

Dorothea. Of all the sneaky, underhand — 

Esmeralda. So the yellow rose meant nothing, nor the 
poems. 

Dorothea. Did he send yon a book, too? I thought 
you'd seen mine. 

Esmeralda. And I thought you'd seen mine. Oh, the 
ugly little whipper-snapper ! 

Dorothea. To think he should trade on our friendship 
in that horrid, ungentlemanly way. (Esmeralda suddenly, 
takes manuscript from her work bag and tears it to pieces. 
Dorothea watches her, then drags her copy from her 
work basket and also tears it in small pieces.) 

Enter Mrs. J. She looks at them astonished. 

Mrs. T. Why, girls! 

Esmeralda {tragically). Ma, we've got some news for 
you. Pa had a note from Mr. Compton just now. 

Mrs. J. {delighted). And which is it? He started speak- 
ing to me, only we were interrupted And I've just met that 
sweet Constance. She wants us — 

Dorothea. Never mind what she wants. We ain't go- 
ing to do it. Ma, Mr. Compton wrote to ask Pa — 

Esmeralda {interrupting). He's engaged — to a New 
York girl, and he wants this fixed up before he gets mar- 
ried. So he wrote — {chokes zvith anger) — 

Dorothea To ask Pa to recommend him as manager 



DIVIDED ATTENTIONS. I9 

to the new firm of Dubbins & Sparks, men's outfitters, 
Tankerville! {They stare at each other in furious amaze- 
ment for a feiv seconds before — ) 

The Curtain Falls. 



Parlor Matches 

By WALTER BEN HARE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

An engaging comedy of society, 2 acts; 4 males, 5 females. 
Time, . l^/^ hours. Scene: 1 simple interior. Characters: Vance 
Trelford, a professional hero, who doesn't want to lie engaged. 
Don Radey, his cousin, a serious young man, engaged, thank you. 
l^'erdinand Poppleton, a frivolous young man, likewise engaged. 
.Torkes, the hutler, who may or may not be engaged. Mrs. Seltoon. 
Avho believes in engagements. Margaret Seltoon, her elder daugh- 
ter, engaged to Mr. Radey. Suzanne Seltoon, her younger daughter, 
engaged to Mr. Poppleton. Gail Lawrence, her ward, engaging 
and eventually engaged. Abigail Mullen, A. B., her maid, tem- 
porarily engaged, as it were. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — A morning in- June at Solitaire Villa, Dovecote. Mrs. 
Seltoon smooths out the course of true love. "Whoever heard 
of a grass widow playing a heroine in a love scene?" "Oh, it's 
one of the best things they do." Mrs. Seltoon seeking a man for 
her niece. "What is liis yearly income?" The butler's opinion 
of a woman A. B. "Near-sighted, men's shoes, short bedrabl)led 
skirts, last year's hat and a banner saying Votes for Women!" 
The nev/ maid wlio is a graduate from the Splinterville Normal. 
The moving picture Jiero. "Women malce me nervous. I always 
Iveep out of their way." Symptoms of hydropliobia. "I bark, low- 
wow-wow!" "His father is in oil and vinegar." "Is it a new kind 
of a bath?" Gail announces her engagement to the moving pic- 
ture hero. "He's here in town!" "Fall, O walls, and crush me!" 

Act II. — A dinner party. Ferdy decides to enlist in tlie army. 
A reconciliation. Abigail and Adrian Lee of the movies. "Those 
eyes, tliat nose, it's him?" "I've seen you propose in vrhite 
flannels, in feathers, in full evening clothes, in a sailor suit, 
and in the garbage of a monk, and every time you've won lier in 
the end." Gail and her fiancee. That odious Mr. Trelford. Din- 
ner is served. Vance Trelford learns that he is engaged. "I ex- 
pected it all along." "Yes, I begin to think that I did it myself." 

Sewing for the Heathen 

By WALTER BEN HARE. 

Price, 15 Cents 

Entertainment for 9 ladies, either young or middle-aged. Time, 
40 minutes. Can be played on any stage or platform, or even in 
any room. Very refined. Suitable for church or any society. Char- 
acters: Mrs. Judd, the hostess. Mrs. Chester, the president. Mrs. 
R. B. Powers, the stranger. Grandma Gibbs, deaf but persistent. 
Miss Luella Huggins, so sentimental. Mrs. Strong, a suffragist. 
Mrs. Meeker, gentle and good. Mrs. Day, a bride. Meely, the 
hired girl. SYNOPSIS. 

An anxious hostess. Meely Avants to serve winny-wurst sand- 
wiches and noodle .'-•oup. The mystery of the jardeniere. The 
President arrives before she is expected. "It was her hair; she 
hadn't got it all on yet." Red flannels for the Hottentots in the 
middle of Africa. A stranger in town, the rich Mrs. Powers. A 
trip down town. Grandma Gibbs and her ear-trumpet. The rich 
Mrs. Powers is mistaken for the dressmaker. The meeting of the 
society. A little tiff. The giddv Miss Huggins is late as usual. 
A present from tlie men. "Sewing for the Heathen." 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given 



M. r. 

Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 

Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min.... 4 2 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

First-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 

For Love and Honor, 2() min.. 2 1 

Fudge and a J5urglar, 15 min.. 5 
Fun in a Piiotograph Gallery, 

30 min 6 10 

Great Doughnut Corporation, 

30 min 3 S 

Great .Medical Dispensary. 30 m. 6 

Great I'umpkin Case, 30 min.. 12 

Hans \'on Smash, 30 min.... 4 3 

Happy Pair, 25 min 1 1 

Fin Not Mesilf at All, 25 min. 3 2 

Initiating a Gratiger, 25 min.. S 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Is the Editor In? 20 min... 4 2 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min... 5 1 

Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 

Mike Dono\an's Courtship, 15 n:. 1 3 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Clarvi-r's Fancy Ball, 40 m. 4 3 
Mrs. t'tuhbins' Book Agent ^0 

min 3 2 

Mv Lord in Liverv, 1 hr.... 4 3 

My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min.. 3 3 

My Turn Next. 45 min 4 3 

My Wife's Relations. 1 hr.... 4 6 

Not a iSFan in the House, 40 m. 5 

Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 

Only Cold Tea, 20 min 3 3 

Outwitting the Colonel, 25 min. 3 2 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. 6 3 

Regular Fix, 35 min- , 6 4 

Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 

Second Childhood, 15 min.... 2 2 

Smith, the Aviator, 40 min... 2 3 

Taking Father's Place, 30 min. 5 3 

Taming a Tiger. 30 min 3 

That Rascal Pat. 30 min 3 2 

Those Red Envelopes, 25 min. 4 4 
Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Treasure from Egypt, 45 min. 4 1 

Turn Him Out. 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. 4 

Two I'onnycastles, 45 min.... 3 3 

Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 

Two Ghosts in White, 20 min.. S 

Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 

Uncle Dick's Mistake. 20 min., 3 2 

Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 

Wanted a Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Which Will He Marry' 20 min. 2 S 

Who Is Wlior' 40 min 3 2 

Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 2 

^^'rorlg Baby, 25 min 8 

Yankee Peddler, 1 hr 7 3 



VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES, MON- 
OLOGUES, ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 

M. F. 

Ax'ni" Her Father, 25 min.... 2 3 
Booster Club of Blackvillc, 25 m.U) 
Itreakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min 2 1 

Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min. I 1 
Coming Chami)ion, 20 min.... 2 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m. 1 4 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Doings of a Dude, 20 min.... 2 1 

Dutch Cocktail, 20 min 2 

Five -Minutes from Veil Col- 
lege, 1 5 min 2 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay. 20 min.. 2 1 
(dickman, the Glazier, 25 min. I 1 
Handy Andy (Negro), 12 min. 2 

Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Hey, Rube! 15 min 1 

Home Run, 15 min 1 1 

Hot Air, 25 min 2 1 

Tumbo Jum, 30 min 4 3 

Little R"ed School llouse. 20 m. 4 

Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 

Marriage and After, 10 min.. 1 
Mischievous Nigger, 25 min.. 4 2 

Mistaken Miss. 20 min 1 1 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. Badger's LTppers. 40 min. 4 2 
One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 
Oshkosh Next Week, 20 min.. 4 

Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 

Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder. 10 

min 1 

Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 

Pooh Bah of Peacetown, 35 min. 2 2 
Prof. Black's Ftmnygraph, 15 m. 6 

Recruiting Office, 15 min 2 

Sham Doctor, 10 min 4 2 

Si and I, 15 min 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Stage Struck Darky. 10 min.. 2 1 
Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 

Time Table, 20 min 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress. 20 min. 1 1 
Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 
Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 
Two Jay Detectives, 15 min.. 3 
ITmlirella Mender, 1 5 min .... 2 
Uncle Bill at the \'audeville. 

15 min 1 

Uncle Tefif, 25 min 5 2 

Who Gits de Reward? 30 min. 5 1 

A great number of 

Standard and Amateur Plays 

not found here are listed in 

Denison's Catalogue 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers, 1 54 W. Randolph St. , Chicago 



POPULAR ENTERTAINIV iLw«1.«':..£?J'<=''ess 



Price, Illustrated Paper Covers. 




;y.DENisofr 

4 COMPANT 
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IN this Series 
are found 
books touching 
every feature 
in the enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
good paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attractive 
individual cov- 
^ er design. 



DIALOGUES 

All Sorts of Dialogues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

Very clever; for young people. 
Children's Comic Dialogues. 

From six to eleven years of age. 
Dialogues for District Schools. 

For country schools. 
Dialogues from Dickens. 

Thirteen selections. 
The Friday Afternoon Dialogues. 

Over 50,000 copies sold. 
From Tots to Teens. 

Dialogues and recitations. 
Humorous Homespun Dialogues. 

For older ones. 
Little People's Plays. 

From 7 to 13 years of age. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
Merry Little Dialogues. 

Thirty-eight original selections. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays." 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 

Brand new, original, successful. 

SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People. 

A child's speaker. 
The Cornic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues, dialogues. 
Dialect Readings. 

Iri^h, Dutch, Negro, Scotcli, etc. 
The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. 
The Friday Afternoon Speaker. 

For p .pils of all ages. 
Humorous Monologues. 

Particularly for ladies. 
Monologues for Young Folks. 

Clever, humorous, original. 
Monologues Grave and Gay. 

Dramatic and humorous. 
The Patriotic Speaker. 

Master thoughts of master mind*. 



The Po< 

For 
Pomes I 
Wit, 




015 910 019 4' 

Scrap- Book Recitations. 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, prose, 
poetry. 14 Nos., per No. 25c, 

DRILLS 

The Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originality. 
Little Plays With Drills. 

For children from 6 to 11 j'ears. 
The Surprise Drill Book. 

Fresh, novel, drills and marches. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys' Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogues, drills. 
Children's Party Book. 

Invitations, decorations, games. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

Entertainments for all the holidays. 
Good Things for Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
Good Things for Thanksgiving. 

A gem of a book. 
Good Things for Washington 

and Lincoln Birthdays. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Celebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pranks and Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Private Theatricals. 

How to put on plays. 
Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes, 

Charades, and how to prepare. 
Tableaux and Scenic Readings. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Fingers and Sway* 

ing Figures. For little tots. 
Yuietide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection. 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

Black American Joker. 

^vlin.^trels' and end men's gags. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. 

Monologues, stump speeches, etc. 
Laughland, via the Ha-Ha Route^ 

A merry trip for fun tourists. 
Negro Minstrels. 

All al:out the business. 
The New Jolly Jester. 

Funny stories, jokes, gags, etc. 

Large Illustrated Catalogue Fre« 



I 



T.S.DENISON&COMPANY,Publishers,154W. Randolph St., Chicagc 



